And little man with big girl finally works....plus Stevie hurt his paw and limps a bit right now.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
I saw the moon
I saw the moon and the moon sees me....where is that from? I sat down to do school work at the computer,looked through the window and over the rooftops saw a slightly flattened, bright moon. Mattie is my moon girl. If I'm up, she's up too, but not happily. The bright round light was calming. It made me think of how the moon looks reflecting on the lake...the lake that is dry in B'wood.
So here we are sliding into year three of college w/the girl. She took herself this year. Year 26 of little people teaching begins with a slightly agitated mindset because "they" cut off the air in our building at 3:30 and teacher staff are required to work until 3:50. I pretend I can do hot..but truthfully the years of growing up with swamp coolers at home and no air in the Brownwood schools have long passed and I'm a full fledged whiner w/o air.
Mattie does do hot. She is spending time under the deck, by choice. Stevie does not do hot. He sticks his head out...feels the blistering 104 hit the back door and goes back in and tries to hold it. That's not working for him so much. Walking with Mattie, who does have an expanding waistline, is also difficult with our little black mess. Pugs don't do heat. Dogs w/o snouts can not cool themselves efficiently. It's is a life or death issue for them. Stevie does near death well.
Pug Daddy bought him a stroller for back to school. Mattie gets more walking time and I have two new whirling fans I will use to suck all the electricity I can out of the sockets in my room to give me cool.
Hello school year 2011-2012. So long summer......sigh....
So here we are sliding into year three of college w/the girl. She took herself this year. Year 26 of little people teaching begins with a slightly agitated mindset because "they" cut off the air in our building at 3:30 and teacher staff are required to work until 3:50. I pretend I can do hot..but truthfully the years of growing up with swamp coolers at home and no air in the Brownwood schools have long passed and I'm a full fledged whiner w/o air.
Mattie does do hot. She is spending time under the deck, by choice. Stevie does not do hot. He sticks his head out...feels the blistering 104 hit the back door and goes back in and tries to hold it. That's not working for him so much. Walking with Mattie, who does have an expanding waistline, is also difficult with our little black mess. Pugs don't do heat. Dogs w/o snouts can not cool themselves efficiently. It's is a life or death issue for them. Stevie does near death well.
Pug Daddy bought him a stroller for back to school. Mattie gets more walking time and I have two new whirling fans I will use to suck all the electricity I can out of the sockets in my room to give me cool.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Public Education
HB 400 died at midnight last night but that doesn't mean it is gone. Parts of it or the whole bill can be attached to other legislation or brought up in a special session.
Here, again, is how the bill will hurt teachers and the public schools:
# Permanently raises the 22-1 cap in K-4 to 25-1, making it easier for school districts to fire more teachers.
# Permanently eliminates the requirement that districts cannot pay teachers less next year than they earned this year. It also eliminates the state minimum salary schedule and lets districts set their own compensation systems with their own rules.
# Permanently allows school boards to furlough teachers and reduce their salaries accordingly.
# Permanently allows a district to declare a financial emergency at any time for purposes of doing a reduction in force and permanently deletes seniority as one of the factors used in determining who is terminated if a RIF is implemented. # Permanently changes the date for notice of non-renewal to the last day of instruction.
# Permanently eliminates the use of a neutral hearing officer for mid-year terminations and replaces that with a hearing before the board.
NOW is the time to call your state representative and let him or her know what these changes will mean for you, your classroom, your school and your community. We must stop House Bill 400, and your call is critical! If you have called before, please call again. To contact your state representative, call 800-260-5444, You can call any time. Leaving a voice message with your representative’s office is just as good as talking to a staff member.
It is important to include the following points in your conversation or message:
# Your name, and that you live and vote in their district.
# Your own story, how laying off educators, ordering furloughs and cutting their pay would hurt the quality of education in your school and for your students.
# Ask your representative to refuse to participate in this unwarranted attack on teachers and public schools.
This will take only a few minutes of your time, and it will be time well spent. Your representative needs to hear from you NOW
Here, again, is how the bill will hurt teachers and the public schools:
# Permanently raises the 22-1 cap in K-4 to 25-1, making it easier for school districts to fire more teachers.
# Permanently eliminates the requirement that districts cannot pay teachers less next year than they earned this year. It also eliminates the state minimum salary schedule and lets districts set their own compensation systems with their own rules.
# Permanently allows school boards to furlough teachers and reduce their salaries accordingly.
# Permanently allows a district to declare a financial emergency at any time for purposes of doing a reduction in force and permanently deletes seniority as one of the factors used in determining who is terminated if a RIF is implemented. # Permanently changes the date for notice of non-renewal to the last day of instruction.
# Permanently eliminates the use of a neutral hearing officer for mid-year terminations and replaces that with a hearing before the board.
NOW is the time to call your state representative and let him or her know what these changes will mean for you, your classroom, your school and your community. We must stop House Bill 400, and your call is critical! If you have called before, please call again. To contact your state representative, call 800-260-5444, You can call any time. Leaving a voice message with your representative’s office is just as good as talking to a staff member.
It is important to include the following points in your conversation or message:
# Your name, and that you live and vote in their district.
# Your own story, how laying off educators, ordering furloughs and cutting their pay would hurt the quality of education in your school and for your students.
# Ask your representative to refuse to participate in this unwarranted attack on teachers and public schools.
This will take only a few minutes of your time, and it will be time well spent. Your representative needs to hear from you NOW
Saturday, April 9, 2011
stevie crashed the picture
so yesterday i learned that earlier this week....the doggies along with dad were walking, leashes off toward our field. stevie spied a young family with little ones and took off to become their dog. so i called him my stupid pug a week ago, but if he's going off and leaving his master for a group of strangers without a pause in his step....then maybe it's not personal.
anyway, he crashed their picture (think they brought their own photog) wiggled around for a while until he was full of compliments and then apparently had to be dragged off by his dad.
dad has no control over his animals.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
dog farm
i want a dog farm. i want to farm dogs. big dogs, little dogs, found dogs, lost dogs, pug dogs, not pug dogs. i want a dog farm....it would be an orphanage for dogs not wanted. because we are good dog parents...feel like we were pretty good with the kids too...but we are exceptional dog parents
it's great living close to the park so the dogs have a fun place to walk and sniff smells and chase mammals...but there is something suburban in me that also wants a nice backyard which i don't have right now. the big dog chases the little dog and there are trails, and some holes, and scattered toys...but very little poop. i take care of the poop. a dog farm...they could have their space and i could still have a nice yard.
i figured out on the TRS (teacher retirement system) calculator that technically it's 3 years until i can go out and buy me a dog farm, or a beach house, or my small urban gem of a house at mueller ...or whatever my whim wants. the retirement guy said it was 3 years...but i thought he meant to include this year so it wld be only two more.....WRONG. so if i manage to keep my job during this crazy bizarre time to be an educator...i can say good bye with full benefits in 2014.
but then i would miss the ones who stomp into the classroom mad and tell me......"i'm here."
and also...if you ever watched a certain political drama on nbc a few years ..maybe six or 7 isn't a few back....this current battle over the budget?....they'll shut down the government....people will be angry.....and i'm thinking the president will be okie dokie. it's going perfectly according to the script.
it's great living close to the park so the dogs have a fun place to walk and sniff smells and chase mammals...but there is something suburban in me that also wants a nice backyard which i don't have right now. the big dog chases the little dog and there are trails, and some holes, and scattered toys...but very little poop. i take care of the poop. a dog farm...they could have their space and i could still have a nice yard.
i figured out on the TRS (teacher retirement system) calculator that technically it's 3 years until i can go out and buy me a dog farm, or a beach house, or my small urban gem of a house at mueller ...or whatever my whim wants. the retirement guy said it was 3 years...but i thought he meant to include this year so it wld be only two more.....WRONG. so if i manage to keep my job during this crazy bizarre time to be an educator...i can say good bye with full benefits in 2014.
but then i would miss the ones who stomp into the classroom mad and tell me......"i'm here."
and i don't believe donald trump should keep talking unkindly about our president while he is wearing a comb-over and hosting a reality show. it makes him appear desperate for attention.
and also...if you ever watched a certain political drama on nbc a few years ..maybe six or 7 isn't a few back....this current battle over the budget?....they'll shut down the government....people will be angry.....and i'm thinking the president will be okie dokie. it's going perfectly according to the script.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
No Staying Power
Went to a Save our Schools/ Don't Cut Kids Out rally this morning. The dogs the husband and locals from our schools, parents and kids all walked from the high school to the city park to hear State Senator Kirk Watson and the mayor of P'ville and some high school boys who give us all hope for a good future.
The problem was...Stevie has no staying power. We walked to the start and then the route and finished close to our home. Mattie walked around like the queen she is..sniffing and looking and behaving like a royal. Stevie walked like a red hot mess and I feared for his death from over exertion and exhaustion. I carried his furry black self most of the way and we were heckled. When we arrived at the park he cooled and sipped from the creek and proceeded to act sort of normal.
Somewhere at some point a photo of me carrying him will surface. I wouldn't want photo documentation of the event....but someone has it. If it turns up, I might share.
The problem was...Stevie has no staying power. We walked to the start and then the route and finished close to our home. Mattie walked around like the queen she is..sniffing and looking and behaving like a royal. Stevie walked like a red hot mess and I feared for his death from over exertion and exhaustion. I carried his furry black self most of the way and we were heckled. When we arrived at the park he cooled and sipped from the creek and proceeded to act sort of normal.
Somewhere at some point a photo of me carrying him will surface. I wouldn't want photo documentation of the event....but someone has it. If it turns up, I might share.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Eagle live feed
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
for your viewing pleasure....and i needed a nice nature experience to counteract my last web experience with snow bunnies.
enjoy.
for your viewing pleasure....and i needed a nice nature experience to counteract my last web experience with snow bunnies.
enjoy.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Snow bunnies
| Snow bunny in natural habitat via "google images"... really! |
Internet images and google have been my friend for many years. Have a student who loves writing/drawing about sharks? Go get them a real picture or two of sharks they can keep in their writing folder. Want to show plants in various stages of growth? Google images can help.
I had no idea snow bunny was an inappropriate search and am very glad I wasn't doing a public search with someone watching. I would have blushed. All I wanted was a cute little white fluffy thing with ears and legs in the snow and I was going to post it on the college girl's FB page before she takes off on her trip. This seemed a positive way to say have fun little girl. What I really thought was the movie poster for TAKEN would be good so she would remember to not talk to any strangers. Glass half empty thinking. So snow bunny is half glass full thinking I was excited and now my eyes have images of things I don't want to write about. But it's nice to know if you type in the words snow bunny in natural habitat you get the above snow bunny picture. How is this natural habitat?
Anyway, I settled on this snow bunny and right afterwards had visions of Mattie chasing it down for dinner.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
college girl wears a ski helmet (please)
I'm not fond of cold. In all our years vacationing, I think we've taken 1 trip to Colorado in December, 1 trip to New Mexico in November ... and now the trips to Missouri for visits with the college girl.
Skiing has never been our thing. I know lots of people do it and after two attempts I have these memories. Red River, New Mexico....it was early in the season and there were 4 of us. Two couples (we didn't know the other couple) and there were two instructors. Her husband and me....we ended up with personalized ski instruction 1:1 because the spouses put on skis and left. On that trip I fell off the ski lift into a valley below....stopped and didn't start up again in the middle of the hill because I watched the ski buggy come cart off some poor soul with broken body parts and then thought I should be done with this sport. The people at the bottom of the hill thought I should come on down. I snow plowed down.
Winter Park, Colorado. Everyone put on skis, had fun and they left me in ski school. I had Hitler for an instructor. He took us to the top and said "now we go down." More truth has never been spoken. I could turn right, but could not turn left. On every left turn I fell down. And this is how I made my way down the mountain. I did not return to Hitler Ski School. Thankfully I am married to a kind person who found tubes and hills and sleigh rides to fill the rest of our family trip.
The girl is going skiing and all I can think of is Liam Neeson's wife crashed on the beginner hill and didn't make it home to unpack. Sometimes I'm a glass half empty person and need someone to turn my frown upside down.
I have found there are lovely ski helmets when I did a search on google and since she'll need to rent all her gear.....hopefully this will be included in the package...AND because our girl is practical and very smart....she'll wear it I'm sure. I would like to post a picture a day of ski helmets on her FB page, but then I become THAT mother and I try hard not to be THAT mother. I still may send them via text....and I'll go next and look on youtube for video of cool young adults skiing in their way cool helmets. She chose a safe sport. There isn't a lot of danger in swimming if you know how to do it and she's been water safe for a while.
Skiing has never been our thing. I know lots of people do it and after two attempts I have these memories. Red River, New Mexico....it was early in the season and there were 4 of us. Two couples (we didn't know the other couple) and there were two instructors. Her husband and me....we ended up with personalized ski instruction 1:1 because the spouses put on skis and left. On that trip I fell off the ski lift into a valley below....stopped and didn't start up again in the middle of the hill because I watched the ski buggy come cart off some poor soul with broken body parts and then thought I should be done with this sport. The people at the bottom of the hill thought I should come on down. I snow plowed down.
Winter Park, Colorado. Everyone put on skis, had fun and they left me in ski school. I had Hitler for an instructor. He took us to the top and said "now we go down." More truth has never been spoken. I could turn right, but could not turn left. On every left turn I fell down. And this is how I made my way down the mountain. I did not return to Hitler Ski School. Thankfully I am married to a kind person who found tubes and hills and sleigh rides to fill the rest of our family trip.
The girl is going skiing and all I can think of is Liam Neeson's wife crashed on the beginner hill and didn't make it home to unpack. Sometimes I'm a glass half empty person and need someone to turn my frown upside down.
I have found there are lovely ski helmets when I did a search on google and since she'll need to rent all her gear.....hopefully this will be included in the package...AND because our girl is practical and very smart....she'll wear it I'm sure. I would like to post a picture a day of ski helmets on her FB page, but then I become THAT mother and I try hard not to be THAT mother. I still may send them via text....and I'll go next and look on youtube for video of cool young adults skiing in their way cool helmets. She chose a safe sport. There isn't a lot of danger in swimming if you know how to do it and she's been water safe for a while.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
ncaa's...final thoughts
this has been an amazing spring break
many girls arrived in Austin with dreams of swimming personal bests and for some a chance to finish in the top 16. our girl had such joy at just being selected to participate we knew to wish for more seemed greedy....but secretly i think we all were dreaming.
so here are my final thoughts in highs and lows..and the lows are not necessarily lows..but maybe just a contrast to the high...because nothing about the past 5 days could be described as low...except maybe getting a boot on the car Friday night.
high.....a 2nd place finish for Dominique (good luck at your Canadian nationals) and another teammate Lauren finished 14 (good luck to you at Canadian nationals as well)
low....the gator parents kept blocking my view of your races
high......a couple of swimmer sisters swam with heart and soul
low...their brother watched from heaven instead of the stands
high....lots of UT ex swimmers sat laughing and joking for 3 days
low....a certain UT ex still rummages though the crowds looking for someone who recognizes him
high...OPI SanTan Tonio polish
low....i had to give it to the girl who requested it (initials c.c.)
high...i spoke to a stranger (s)
low....it was UT event staff people who actually spoke first and asked me if i needed help finding my seat and if not move out of the entrance. i was polite.
high....no traffic on the weekends
low....MLK is a death trap to cross on foot no matter when you try
high....love love love watching swimmers have fun
low....it was hard to view our swimmer because the place was so full
high....our girl had a fabuloso 200 back and a new best time winning her heat
low...the 100 back doesn't get a do over today like at Big XII.
high....dinner with the team last night
low...dinner didn't start until 9:30
high....my binoculars (really they are rc's)
low....people made fun of me for using them (13 year old girls are lame and would make fun of string)
high...the coaches are nice and tried speaking to us at dinner
low....i have the conversational skills of a log
high...i completely understand diving
low...no splash= good/lots of splash= bad
high...the coach who insisted she wear a helmet when swimmer girl goes skiing
low...she thinks it will look uncool....blood and brains on snow are not cool either
high...rc discovered angry birds on my evo
low...rc discovered angry birds on my evo
high....i wasn't overwhelmed by tiger people
low...i was surrounded and overwhelmed by bulldogs and gators and wildcats
high...bulldog cheer
low...they did it often woof woof woof
high.....there is fashion on the pool deck
low....we need to up our game next year
high.....our girl is on it
low....she's not subtle
high....our entire family at lunch, outside at the hotel
low....nothing low about that one
high....i've done zero housework, laundry, school prep for an entire week
low....see above
high...someone mowed the yard
low...i hope it was the people who i paid to mow it last year and not a neighbor who is fanatical about nice grass.
high....the yard looks nice
low...they forgot the back (they came unannounced...and the gate is kept locked)
high....doggies happy to see me
low....doggies won't sleep because of extreme happiness
and now for the numbers (my numbers are approx.)
NCAA women's DI swim teams = approx. 180
NCAA teams represented this weekend = 45? and seriously i just counted and forgot what I counted
lowest number of swimmers to attend by a school 1(several
highest number of swimmers to attend by a school 15 (A&M)
more rough approximations....
Invited swimmers to the championships = 281
D1 women swimmers = over 2000
her numbers
50 free entered 58/66 finished 36/66 new best time
100 back entered 23/61 finished 23/61
200 back entered 48/53 finished 31/53 new best time
these numbers matter only because it shows how special it was to attend this meet. i saw many families and swimmers unhappy with times, swims, coaches. perspective helps put things in place.
i don't understand how racing minds work....but i do understand how mine does.
this whole week was a gift to us all. thank you ncaa's, missouri swimming and diving, Mary and Andy, Ryan and Kristin, Kimmy, Brownie Boy, Kelly, Sherrill, every one's kind FB words, and most of all Rory, Cassie and Aubrey. I think the future holds more fun for all of us.
and now...my new favorite you tube clip:
many girls arrived in Austin with dreams of swimming personal bests and for some a chance to finish in the top 16. our girl had such joy at just being selected to participate we knew to wish for more seemed greedy....but secretly i think we all were dreaming.
so here are my final thoughts in highs and lows..and the lows are not necessarily lows..but maybe just a contrast to the high...because nothing about the past 5 days could be described as low...except maybe getting a boot on the car Friday night.
high.....a 2nd place finish for Dominique (good luck at your Canadian nationals) and another teammate Lauren finished 14 (good luck to you at Canadian nationals as well)
low....the gator parents kept blocking my view of your races
high......a couple of swimmer sisters swam with heart and soul
low...their brother watched from heaven instead of the stands
high....lots of UT ex swimmers sat laughing and joking for 3 days
low....a certain UT ex still rummages though the crowds looking for someone who recognizes him
high...OPI SanTan Tonio polish
low....i had to give it to the girl who requested it (initials c.c.)
high...i spoke to a stranger (s)
low....it was UT event staff people who actually spoke first and asked me if i needed help finding my seat and if not move out of the entrance. i was polite.
high....no traffic on the weekends
low....MLK is a death trap to cross on foot no matter when you try
high....love love love watching swimmers have fun
low....it was hard to view our swimmer because the place was so full
high....our girl had a fabuloso 200 back and a new best time winning her heat
low...the 100 back doesn't get a do over today like at Big XII.
high....dinner with the team last night
low...dinner didn't start until 9:30
high....my binoculars (really they are rc's)
low....people made fun of me for using them (13 year old girls are lame and would make fun of string)
high...the coaches are nice and tried speaking to us at dinner
low....i have the conversational skills of a log
high...i completely understand diving
low...no splash= good/lots of splash= bad
high...the coach who insisted she wear a helmet when swimmer girl goes skiing
low...she thinks it will look uncool....blood and brains on snow are not cool either
high...rc discovered angry birds on my evo
low...rc discovered angry birds on my evo
high....i wasn't overwhelmed by tiger people
low...i was surrounded and overwhelmed by bulldogs and gators and wildcats
high...bulldog cheer
low...they did it often woof woof woof
high.....there is fashion on the pool deck
low....we need to up our game next year
high.....our girl is on it
low....she's not subtle
high....our entire family at lunch, outside at the hotel
low....nothing low about that one
high....i've done zero housework, laundry, school prep for an entire week
low....see above
high...someone mowed the yard
low...i hope it was the people who i paid to mow it last year and not a neighbor who is fanatical about nice grass.
high....the yard looks nice
low...they forgot the back (they came unannounced...and the gate is kept locked)
high....doggies happy to see me
low....doggies won't sleep because of extreme happiness
and now for the numbers (my numbers are approx.)
NCAA women's DI swim teams = approx. 180
NCAA teams represented this weekend = 45? and seriously i just counted and forgot what I counted
lowest number of swimmers to attend by a school 1(several
highest number of swimmers to attend by a school 15 (A&M)
more rough approximations....
Invited swimmers to the championships = 281
D1 women swimmers = over 2000
her numbers
50 free entered 58/66 finished 36/66 new best time
100 back entered 23/61 finished 23/61
200 back entered 48/53 finished 31/53 new best time
these numbers matter only because it shows how special it was to attend this meet. i saw many families and swimmers unhappy with times, swims, coaches. perspective helps put things in place.
i don't understand how racing minds work....but i do understand how mine does.
this whole week was a gift to us all. thank you ncaa's, missouri swimming and diving, Mary and Andy, Ryan and Kristin, Kimmy, Brownie Boy, Kelly, Sherrill, every one's kind FB words, and most of all Rory, Cassie and Aubrey. I think the future holds more fun for all of us.
and now...my new favorite you tube clip:
Friday, March 18, 2011
highs and lows at the ncaa's so far
low....my dog runs to rc and sits by him when i say his name
high....watching many many swimmer girls participate and cheer for their friends/teammates
low....watching many many swimmer girls leave the pool wishing the clock said something else
high....eating gingerbread pancakes
low.......waiting for the too cool for my table waitress to bring me my check
high......seeing so many of my swimmer girls' friends write/show up to cheer her on
low....seeing us all age so suddenly...it did happen suddenly
high...sleeping through the night because it is spring break
low....spring break is ending
high....seeing college girl every day in my town
low.....seeing college girl leave town in 2 days
high....watching my loved rc make a new friend every time i turn around
low.....i still believe in stranger danger
high...seeing our swimmer girl fly up the bleachers to see her Aubrey after her 50 free
low...seeing our swimmer girl climb out of the pool sad after her 100 back
high..saving mucho parking dollars by buying the parking card for 30 dollars
low....spending mucho parking dollars un-booting our car so we could drive home fri.night (don't ask)
high....new assigned seats rock
low...original seats behind wooden platform and no view of end of pool
high....naps in the afternoon
low...i need a nap to stay up until 9pm
high....the girl got the shirt she wanted
low...i had to stand in line to pay for it
high.....sunny skies, warm breezes
low.....zyrtec d and tissues
high...the meet is half over
low...the meet is half over
high....our Missouri diver placed second
low...we just had one diver come to Austin
high....the coaches are nice and make her laugh
low....i think all coaches think parents are pests (i'm especially not a pest but they'll never know because they lump us all together in the pest pile)
high....seeing the familiar faces
low....don't remember anyone's name...but that wouldn't matter because i rarely talk to strangers
high...seeing brendan hansen and remembering swim girl was 'in love' when she was 13
low...texting swim girl to remind her he was here ...left out the text to "do not stalk the olympian" thinking she was old enough now to know better
high...eating lunch with swim girl and her team at whole foods on tues.
low...spent 60 dollars on books while passing the time @bookpeople waiting for slow pokes from missouri
high....taking doggies to the hotel to see the girl
low...thinking 8:30 was too late to get out of the house to take dogs to hotel to see the girl
high...my dog is sleeping at my feet
low...he's only here because rc put up the baby gate and blocked him
high....i love the dogs most
low....they love him most
high...everyone in the buidling is a success because you helped someone else get there
low....everyone in the building has had to help someone recover from a disappointment
high....we have 3 more sessions to view this world of ncaa swimming
low...it will be another year before we meet again
maybe more later
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Pouting
She's pouting. Her daddy has 2 cracked and 1 broken rib.
She loves her daily walks with HIM.
I could take her and she would be mildly happy.
She throws herself on the couch and moans.
She throws herself on the floor and sighs...very loudly.
It will get better...but her ability to adapt is not good....not good at all.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
food and Mattie loves cheese
Can's taste and can't swallow so of course I'm thinking about food. My screen saver on my Evo is fruit loops. Which made me think of our swim girl.
Long ago during the age group swimming days when she very first started to be successful...a swim mom came up to me and said "What do you feed her?" I was puzzled to be asked this question which over the years I later learned was a leading question people want to know of successful swimmers. What do they eat? Like cows or dogs....what do you feed 'em?
She ate fruit looops and pop tarts and chicken nuggets and resisted every attempt at oatmeal and eggs.
Pop tarts and fruit loops didn't seem like the right answer but that's what the girl was eating, so that's what I said. I could launch into a whole other topic of scary swim parents...but I will not as it would be negative and non-productive.
I think she eats differently now. I saw oatmeal in her bowl last week...and eggs.
And about Mattie and cheese.....if she hears the refrigerator door open, she'll go look. If he's getting cheese, she'll follow and sit down and look at him longinly until he gives her all his cheese. She is chubby.
Stevie likes it too.
Long ago during the age group swimming days when she very first started to be successful...a swim mom came up to me and said "What do you feed her?" I was puzzled to be asked this question which over the years I later learned was a leading question people want to know of successful swimmers. What do they eat? Like cows or dogs....what do you feed 'em?
She ate fruit looops and pop tarts and chicken nuggets and resisted every attempt at oatmeal and eggs.
Pop tarts and fruit loops didn't seem like the right answer but that's what the girl was eating, so that's what I said. I could launch into a whole other topic of scary swim parents...but I will not as it would be negative and non-productive.
I think she eats differently now. I saw oatmeal in her bowl last week...and eggs.
And about Mattie and cheese.....if she hears the refrigerator door open, she'll go look. If he's getting cheese, she'll follow and sit down and look at him longinly until he gives her all his cheese. She is chubby.
Stevie likes it too.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
some pics
podium 100 back
Doubletree doggie visit
Airport arrival
100 fly 
200 free relay...girl w/orange googlesIt shouldn't have been....but that made it all the better when it was..
She arrived in Austin with her team. Truth be told, the team was a lock for third. Always the bridesmaid, but not the maid of honor bridesmaid. That would be the team that is second. It was her second time to swim at a conference meet for her team. The first year under the old coach was difficult. This year had been different from the beginning. She felt excited and valued and fast.
Eager to begin...the 200 medley realy kicked off the meet the first night. She didn't get to swim her beloved 50 back because the team needed her to swim fly. But OK. She did it with excitment and they finished 4th. Her head, thinking....good swim...but my 50 back is a lot faster.
Day 2 and the first full day of swimming had swim girl swimming the 50 free three times. Right off the blocks in her preliminary swim she broke the 22 second barrier. Apparently it's a club. A fast club.
Her Aubrey was there to see his little Texas Gold girl swim and make her first Big XII final in an individual swim. That night she repeated her appearance in the 22 club with first a relay swim and then her final. 7th in the Big XII 50 free.
Day 3 was Friday. The day for her favorite back and that day it would come after a realy 100 fly and an individual 100 fly....last event would be 100 back.
She had a great split for the relay and the team finished 3rd.
Her 100 fly prelim time good enough to return in the B final. Her personal best and overall a 9th place finish as she swam to a win in the consolation final.
She waited for it all day. The 100 back. These new coaches had tweaked her performance, introduced the nose clip and had deemed her under water kick the best on the team. Now would be her time to shine. In the preliminary heats she was out fast....swimming next to her Canandian team mate both girls came in side by side with near identical times swim girl first then team mate. In the final that night... the girls would be swimming side by side again...and this time her team mate out-touched both with near identical times. What kind of heart and desire it must have taken to swim like that after swimming two 100 flys earlier that night. She knew she had a better time in her but it wasn't to come that night. She finished 6th in the Big XII 100 back and it was a best time.
Every swim a best time...but still not quite fast enough to get to the NCAA meet. A meet that is deemed faster than the Olympics by most coaches. Day 3 ended with coach asking "200 back tomorrow?" She had already completed the most individual swims allowed (3). But you can swim more and it will be called Exhibition and marked with an X.
Day 4 She stepped up again. Bodies tapered for racing happen only a few times a year...so a tapered, rested swimmer can race to a personal best and that is just what happened.
200 Back...not the favorite..but a personal best by 2 seconds and a time that would have been good enough for a repeat trip to the final that night if it hadn't been a required Exhibition swim.
Her final realy swim of the meet had her again swimming fly. It was the 400 medley relay and the time just might be good enough to make NCAA's. Time will tell.
Then came the word....coach wants her to stay around Sunday for the Time Trial/last chance meet. Last years coach had asked the same. It didn't turn out well.
A short breakdown...a few tears.... and visit from Stevie....and parents still not knowing what was going on....the family (mom and dad) drove back to the swim center for Day 5.
Day 5 Inside the swim center it was quiet and dark. A few coaches and maybe 30 swimmers. The remainder either waiting at the hotels or like her team...already on their way to the airport for the flight to St. Louis.
The coach had his 4 girls around him talking and there was laughing. Good to see a smile on everyone's face. First up was IM then 50 free. The freestyler Lisa swam to a personal best. Then the 100 breast. Already best times for Amanda ...and again...another best time.
Then, she swam. On a day after 4 full days of swimming and 13 races and best times she found something left. It shouldn't have happened. Last chance meets are notoriously unsuccessful.
In the quiet swim center, in the dim light, the start horn sounded. Cas was out fast and in the lead. Her underwater kick was phenominal. She made the first turn and was still in the lead. Swimming beside her a girl from Kansas. Down to the second turn she is in the lead and on the other side the A&M girl is dropping back. At the third turn....the place she starts to fade...there are only two girls left racing toward a time trial win...but it isn't a win they want....the fastest times will get them both a ticket to the BIG MEET. And then it's over. She looked up and saw her time...another best time and it was over.
Crawling out of the pool, walking past the announcer...she saw her coach and broke down in tears. She had done something that shouldn't have happened. There was no good reason that time should have been. It was heart...and angels. And simply the most genuine effort of athletic skill she had ever given.
13 or 14 swims...about as many best times and now she was going to the NCAA's with a new personal best time.
The coach deemed it the most successful last chance meet he had seen. Her momma cried and her daddy smiled big...then took more pictures.
Mattie and Stevie gave up their schedule and parents so we could be there for college girl's swimming. They were not too happy...but things are getting back to normal and flashing angry eyes have softened and wagging tails are returning.
Eager to begin...the 200 medley realy kicked off the meet the first night. She didn't get to swim her beloved 50 back because the team needed her to swim fly. But OK. She did it with excitment and they finished 4th. Her head, thinking....good swim...but my 50 back is a lot faster.
Day 2 and the first full day of swimming had swim girl swimming the 50 free three times. Right off the blocks in her preliminary swim she broke the 22 second barrier. Apparently it's a club. A fast club.
Her Aubrey was there to see his little Texas Gold girl swim and make her first Big XII final in an individual swim. That night she repeated her appearance in the 22 club with first a relay swim and then her final. 7th in the Big XII 50 free.
Day 3 was Friday. The day for her favorite back and that day it would come after a realy 100 fly and an individual 100 fly....last event would be 100 back.
She had a great split for the relay and the team finished 3rd.
Her 100 fly prelim time good enough to return in the B final. Her personal best and overall a 9th place finish as she swam to a win in the consolation final.
She waited for it all day. The 100 back. These new coaches had tweaked her performance, introduced the nose clip and had deemed her under water kick the best on the team. Now would be her time to shine. In the preliminary heats she was out fast....swimming next to her Canandian team mate both girls came in side by side with near identical times swim girl first then team mate. In the final that night... the girls would be swimming side by side again...and this time her team mate out-touched both with near identical times. What kind of heart and desire it must have taken to swim like that after swimming two 100 flys earlier that night. She knew she had a better time in her but it wasn't to come that night. She finished 6th in the Big XII 100 back and it was a best time.
Every swim a best time...but still not quite fast enough to get to the NCAA meet. A meet that is deemed faster than the Olympics by most coaches. Day 3 ended with coach asking "200 back tomorrow?" She had already completed the most individual swims allowed (3). But you can swim more and it will be called Exhibition and marked with an X.
Day 4 She stepped up again. Bodies tapered for racing happen only a few times a year...so a tapered, rested swimmer can race to a personal best and that is just what happened.
200 Back...not the favorite..but a personal best by 2 seconds and a time that would have been good enough for a repeat trip to the final that night if it hadn't been a required Exhibition swim.
Her final realy swim of the meet had her again swimming fly. It was the 400 medley relay and the time just might be good enough to make NCAA's. Time will tell.
Then came the word....coach wants her to stay around Sunday for the Time Trial/last chance meet. Last years coach had asked the same. It didn't turn out well.
A short breakdown...a few tears.... and visit from Stevie....and parents still not knowing what was going on....the family (mom and dad) drove back to the swim center for Day 5.
Day 5 Inside the swim center it was quiet and dark. A few coaches and maybe 30 swimmers. The remainder either waiting at the hotels or like her team...already on their way to the airport for the flight to St. Louis.
The coach had his 4 girls around him talking and there was laughing. Good to see a smile on everyone's face. First up was IM then 50 free. The freestyler Lisa swam to a personal best. Then the 100 breast. Already best times for Amanda ...and again...another best time.
Then, she swam. On a day after 4 full days of swimming and 13 races and best times she found something left. It shouldn't have happened. Last chance meets are notoriously unsuccessful.
In the quiet swim center, in the dim light, the start horn sounded. Cas was out fast and in the lead. Her underwater kick was phenominal. She made the first turn and was still in the lead. Swimming beside her a girl from Kansas. Down to the second turn she is in the lead and on the other side the A&M girl is dropping back. At the third turn....the place she starts to fade...there are only two girls left racing toward a time trial win...but it isn't a win they want....the fastest times will get them both a ticket to the BIG MEET. And then it's over. She looked up and saw her time...another best time and it was over.
Crawling out of the pool, walking past the announcer...she saw her coach and broke down in tears. She had done something that shouldn't have happened. There was no good reason that time should have been. It was heart...and angels. And simply the most genuine effort of athletic skill she had ever given.
13 or 14 swims...about as many best times and now she was going to the NCAA's with a new personal best time.
The coach deemed it the most successful last chance meet he had seen. Her momma cried and her daddy smiled big...then took more pictures.
Mattie and Stevie gave up their schedule and parents so we could be there for college girl's swimming. They were not too happy...but things are getting back to normal and flashing angry eyes have softened and wagging tails are returning.
Monday, February 21, 2011
I need
to be done with Mattie's blog for a bit. By now everyone knows Mattie has a family who loves her, was raised for a few months by the senior pug brothers (rest in peace boys) and is now learning even more skills from her fast and naughty brother Stevie Ray.
Spring fever has hit me and I must go....somewhere. soon.
BTW....
college girl had a very nice swim on Saturday. We'll be visiting Omaha in June 2012.
Spring fever has hit me and I must go....somewhere. soon.
BTW....
college girl had a very nice swim on Saturday. We'll be visiting Omaha in June 2012.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
How many
I'm looking into percentages for matters close to my heart......but I was wondering how many parents have the opportunity to see their college athlete compete at a conference championship in their own hometown. I'm thinking it's not very many. I am going to go to the different schools and see how many local girls/boys are on the Big XII swimming teams....lots of swimmers from Texas...but not very many from ATX.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
BREAK
Took a few days to clean up the clutter around my computer (work and home) found some lost things, gave my school babies an ISD required stupid math test (sorry test people...it is stupid because we don't care which box holds the nests which are one less than the birds in the first box). Found out Texas does do cold (1 inch)...but not like Missouri does cold (blizzard and 17 inches)....have to make up our snow day and now get to work into June too. Doggies are good. Mattie and Stevie have new bones from County Line....(last Saturday dinner...except we ate turkey and they give you free bones for the dogs if you ask).
Latest rowing accomplishment.....in the middle of the river being yelled at by Princeton rowers. They were here for a bit of warmer winter weather training. I kind of got in their way. This would be why I'm still in the beginner boats after 10 years. :)
February started with me having laser like focus on Feb. 22. I marked it on every calendar around.
Even cleaning clutter around the house and school rooms because of Feb. 22. Avoiding all appointments and meetings because Feb. 22 is so important. Mattie and Stevie don't do dates, but Feb. 22 is important to them too.
At noonish on Feb. 22 college girl w/ her Mizzou teammates fly into Austin for Big XII championships. Feb. 23 the meet begins and goes until Feb. 26. The tigers fly away on Sunday.
I took days off at work. I'm making substitute teacher plans today. That's how laser like focus works. Stevie didn't like my laser like focus. I found matted fur and pulled and now he has a teeny tiny hairless place by his nose. Mattie girl dog... has laser like focus so she knows about it and watches from a distance. I did notice her nails were too long. Laser like focus.
Lake house for summer vacation found. Includes...on the water dock, on part of Lake of the Ozarks that is closest to Columbia..it's a big big big big lake.....suitable sleeping arrangements for 8-10 who are coming, takes my most favorite dogs, has a very knowledgeable St. Louis owner and actually breaks the budget. I really didn't have a true budget anyway. So our summer family vaca is now on the books. The owner said there are woods for hiking and squirrels for Mattie.
Latest rowing accomplishment.....in the middle of the river being yelled at by Princeton rowers. They were here for a bit of warmer winter weather training. I kind of got in their way. This would be why I'm still in the beginner boats after 10 years. :)
February started with me having laser like focus on Feb. 22. I marked it on every calendar around.
Even cleaning clutter around the house and school rooms because of Feb. 22. Avoiding all appointments and meetings because Feb. 22 is so important. Mattie and Stevie don't do dates, but Feb. 22 is important to them too.
At noonish on Feb. 22 college girl w/ her Mizzou teammates fly into Austin for Big XII championships. Feb. 23 the meet begins and goes until Feb. 26. The tigers fly away on Sunday.
I took days off at work. I'm making substitute teacher plans today. That's how laser like focus works. Stevie didn't like my laser like focus. I found matted fur and pulled and now he has a teeny tiny hairless place by his nose. Mattie girl dog... has laser like focus so she knows about it and watches from a distance. I did notice her nails were too long. Laser like focus.
Lake house for summer vacation found. Includes...on the water dock, on part of Lake of the Ozarks that is closest to Columbia..it's a big big big big lake.....suitable sleeping arrangements for 8-10 who are coming, takes my most favorite dogs, has a very knowledgeable St. Louis owner and actually breaks the budget. I really didn't have a true budget anyway. So our summer family vaca is now on the books. The owner said there are woods for hiking and squirrels for Mattie.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The grumpy growler vs Mattie
neon mattie
Originally uploaded by memyrcscunningham
Mattie is dog park perfection and Stevie is enthusiastic and off task frequently but neither have ever shown aggression towards anyone or any dog when out with us at the parks. Good jobs doggies.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
in a kayak
you are looking where you are going. Rowing..you have to look behind you every now and then and this would be my problem.
I was paired with another non type A personality. It seems we are in the minority. She asked me if I was like the dog in UP...."squirrel!" that dog..and I said yes and then off we went.
Even as nice as she was she didn't act like she knew me when I finally decided to look behind me and noticed two boats of 8 and their coach yelling at me to pull right which would make my boat go left and then they could continue their training. I don't know how long they were there? Did I stop/slow their workout? Princeton crew I am kind of sorry. You were described to me as the truck drivers of the river...not very nice and extremely aggressive. I don't think our nice coach was saying it to make me feel better...a double was flooded with water by these guys. So, I'm kind of sorry...won't wear the blue shirt next time in case someone noticed and I might disguise my pony tail and Mizzou hat with something different.
And what I know: water and quick is not what I do. I guess I could if I thought it was important. Same with swimming. Water and fast is an oxymoron...for me. There was a tree covered in beautiful white birds today, and a fascinating noise under the train track...and some yelling from out of town boats.
I was paired with another non type A personality. It seems we are in the minority. She asked me if I was like the dog in UP...."squirrel!" that dog..and I said yes and then off we went.
Even as nice as she was she didn't act like she knew me when I finally decided to look behind me and noticed two boats of 8 and their coach yelling at me to pull right which would make my boat go left and then they could continue their training. I don't know how long they were there? Did I stop/slow their workout? Princeton crew I am kind of sorry. You were described to me as the truck drivers of the river...not very nice and extremely aggressive. I don't think our nice coach was saying it to make me feel better...a double was flooded with water by these guys. So, I'm kind of sorry...won't wear the blue shirt next time in case someone noticed and I might disguise my pony tail and Mizzou hat with something different.
And what I know: water and quick is not what I do. I guess I could if I thought it was important. Same with swimming. Water and fast is an oxymoron...for me. There was a tree covered in beautiful white birds today, and a fascinating noise under the train track...and some yelling from out of town boats.
Met up with Stevie and Mattie and after the dog park went to Redbud. Stevie wanted to swim and Mattie had to keep an eye out. Stevie seemed to aggravate the locals today. Lots of flashing teeth and growls. Mattie likes to wait until needed and I think Stevie would like a little more immediate intervention on his behalf.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Cowboy Steve...Stevie Ray rides again.....Steve wants to play....Oklahoma Steve
Very few people know how much money I actually spent on the purchase of this magnificent creature. Thank you Katy, Cassie, Rory, Glenda for keeping my secret even if I never said it was a secret...the amount was wrong on so many levels it is information that should be held close to your belt. I was mourning the loss of my sensitive and beloved Bart. Money was not going to keep me from getting the future dog of my dreams, even if I secretly knew no dog would ever live up to Bart. I liked the white paws, the white chin...he had character. We gave him a name with character and also the name of the neighbor pastor (just by accident) but humorous when you go outside and tell Steve "potty outside"..."potty outside" in angry voice because he just decided to pee in the kitchen and notice the neighbor pastor/wife is out in their backyard. (that was puppy Steve) Big boy Steve doesn't do that.
Much documented is Stevie's love for RC. I am slowly coming to accept that it was better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Stevie is not bringing sensitive love my way anytime soon....but he likes me a lot. Stevie is his own man. He's Cowboy Steve from Oklahoma. He wants fun. He's resting up beside me now because soon this morning sock and shoe Olympics with RC will commence. That's where the human tries to put on socks and shoes while Stevie grabs the toes and tries to rip/bite/pull the sock off the foot. Most people put their socked foot on the ground while tending to the other foot. Stevie believes toes should be seen and wants the sock.
If sock Olympics don't go as planned, next up will be snack race, or toy chase, or bite the big girl's paw, jump on the big girl's back, or chomp the big girl's ankle from under her belly so she can't reach me and bite back or just the traditional pug race where the pug races wildly around without a point. Bart was a quiet, sensitive, thankful guy with big seal eyes and he loved.
Stevie loves.....he loves everyone and everything
He sleeps hard...then starts his loving all over again.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Baby Boat Rower
I want to talk about it and the blog says Mattie and friends and while I'm not DADDY...I think I am part of the "and friends".
I have about 10 years in the baby boats. Real rowers or (cough cough) scullers or crew people or whatever they call themselves don't spend 10 years in the baby boats.
Baby boats are wider and not as long as the others. They don't call them baby boats...just label them with neon green names like Coco and Sparky. I made up Sparky. Coco is my boat. Not mine...but the one I like to use.
Saturday it was cold, ice particles on the dock Sandra wore the wrong shoes cold. I fell down the ramp and except for the slightly yellowish, bluish color of my swollen pinkie, I'm good and I wasn't carrying a boat. PARTICIPANTS accept ALL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH............AND IF YOU BREAK THE BOAT.........OR HIT THE BRIDGE.....YOU GIVE US MONEY. I like the baby boats. But the rower people....not really so much....except for the nice woman who keeps trying to coach me into a racer type baby boat rower. Nicely I've told her that I'm not really that type. I race for coffee. I race to get Stevie outside first thing in the morning. I would even race to go get Mattie (been there done that in my pajamas, in the dark on day two of being her mom). I race to get to the cafeteria on days I'm late with my class. I don't have the "I'm gonna beat you" type A personality. That would be college girl (who will be swimming locally at the BIG XII champs in 4 weeks)wipe the tears of joy aside!
Back to boats. I like the water, the swans, the silence, and maybe on Saturday I liked the mist coming off the water which for a moment blocked my view of the bridge I was terrified of hitting. I feel slightly on the edge of disaster every time I go out on the water. Have run my boat aground, bumped the bridge going slowed down speed after I executed a phenomenal emergency stop which left me wondering . (I didn't do all this recently...but over time as a baby boat rower.) I get distracted by the things around me. \
The dock I'm giving my monthly dues is the least competitive of the three docks on our water way. I started at the most competitive almost 10 years ago. They talk in port, bow, starboard, and I need front, back, left, right.
It's subtle class warfare. I have strong legs and a lovely stroke she said Saturday and to not let that girl go by me...as I slowed and watched the girl go by. then the swans....and the boat of 8.....and the ripples from the coach's launch who was disgusted with the "RECREATIONAL ROWERS".
It was cold and I wore 4 pair of socks, two pair of tights, 3 shirts, a hat and some gloves and some odd little things called pogies which fit over both the oar and your hand at the same time. I threw mine in the bottom of the boat because they were odd and confusing...and I needed more coffee and it was 26 degrees.
Next Saturday it won't be so cold...and I'll be back in the baby boats trying to appear confident and assured....until the swans go by or someone yells "you're on the wrong side". Traffic rules for all boats coming soon.
I have about 10 years in the baby boats. Real rowers or (cough cough) scullers or crew people or whatever they call themselves don't spend 10 years in the baby boats.
Baby boats are wider and not as long as the others. They don't call them baby boats...just label them with neon green names like Coco and Sparky. I made up Sparky. Coco is my boat. Not mine...but the one I like to use.
Saturday it was cold, ice particles on the dock Sandra wore the wrong shoes cold. I fell down the ramp and except for the slightly yellowish, bluish color of my swollen pinkie, I'm good and I wasn't carrying a boat. PARTICIPANTS accept ALL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH............AND IF YOU BREAK THE BOAT.........OR HIT THE BRIDGE.....YOU GIVE US MONEY. I like the baby boats. But the rower people....not really so much....except for the nice woman who keeps trying to coach me into a racer type baby boat rower. Nicely I've told her that I'm not really that type. I race for coffee. I race to get Stevie outside first thing in the morning. I would even race to go get Mattie (been there done that in my pajamas, in the dark on day two of being her mom). I race to get to the cafeteria on days I'm late with my class. I don't have the "I'm gonna beat you" type A personality. That would be college girl (who will be swimming locally at the BIG XII champs in 4 weeks)wipe the tears of joy aside!
Back to boats. I like the water, the swans, the silence, and maybe on Saturday I liked the mist coming off the water which for a moment blocked my view of the bridge I was terrified of hitting. I feel slightly on the edge of disaster every time I go out on the water. Have run my boat aground, bumped the bridge going slowed down speed after I executed a phenomenal emergency stop which left me wondering . (I didn't do all this recently...but over time as a baby boat rower.) I get distracted by the things around me. \
The dock I'm giving my monthly dues is the least competitive of the three docks on our water way. I started at the most competitive almost 10 years ago. They talk in port, bow, starboard, and I need front, back, left, right.
It's subtle class warfare. I have strong legs and a lovely stroke she said Saturday and to not let that girl go by me...as I slowed and watched the girl go by. then the swans....and the boat of 8.....and the ripples from the coach's launch who was disgusted with the "RECREATIONAL ROWERS".
It was cold and I wore 4 pair of socks, two pair of tights, 3 shirts, a hat and some gloves and some odd little things called pogies which fit over both the oar and your hand at the same time. I threw mine in the bottom of the boat because they were odd and confusing...and I needed more coffee and it was 26 degrees.
Next Saturday it won't be so cold...and I'll be back in the baby boats trying to appear confident and assured....until the swans go by or someone yells "you're on the wrong side". Traffic rules for all boats coming soon.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Just now...
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When?
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Thursday, January 20, 2011
Class size
According to a reserach organization that's part of the Department of Education, one truly proven method for improving learning is smaller class size. One teacher to smaller amounts of learners is hands down superior to one teacher and hoards of learners. It's one to one around our house. Thank goodness for that or we would likely have had more than the 1 Mattie escape over this past 18 months as Mattie's parents. She had one on one almost daily walks to build bonding and trust and in my defense, I tripped and the leash came off and she didn't know us yet. Stevie...he just doesn't listen yet. But we're still trying.
I struggle to imagine what will happen in my classroom next year. A large percentage of my students come ill prepared for life in the classroom and I am hopeful every year that I'll be able to make a connection that will hook a 5 year old on a reason to come back beside mom and dad saying "GO".
25-1 is the newest projection from our state leaders. Look at the classrooms where your children are learning. Right now districts ask for waivers to get around 22-1 so some places, including my classroom have more than 22. Will that waiver granting policy be allowed when the cap goes
to 25-1?
I don't have answers (some ideas maybe) but I do know that school districts listen to parents. Yet, very few parents ever voice their opinions outside of yearly conferences or report card concerns. There is a life altering dilemma (catastrophe is probably exaggerating but that was my first choice) knocking at the door of your child's classroom. While I would currently like to blame the Toyota Highlander for the ills and problems of my classroom, truth be told the problem is silence. Silence about what we are about to loose. The squeaky wheel method works. Promise. Public school will listen to parents if parents will speak. So start speaking and don't stop speaking. Be nice. Please, please be nice. Budgets in our schools are being written. Sit down and write your school board a letter. Write them an email. Talk about what is important to you, your child, our future.
And don't buy a Toyota Highlander with personalized entertainment areas for each person in the car. Yep...the add says your two children can watch a video...or one a video and another can plug in their games or ipod and then you never ever have to talk to them on a drive to HEB ever ever again. If we've stopped speaking in the car, then maybe asking people to speak and write to the strangers who run our local ISD's is too much to imagine. But I'm hopeful.
Speak up now before what you have is lost.
Mattie and Stevie's mom says,
thank you...thank you very much. (elvis's birthday was a weekend or so ago)
I struggle to imagine what will happen in my classroom next year. A large percentage of my students come ill prepared for life in the classroom and I am hopeful every year that I'll be able to make a connection that will hook a 5 year old on a reason to come back beside mom and dad saying "GO".
25-1 is the newest projection from our state leaders. Look at the classrooms where your children are learning. Right now districts ask for waivers to get around 22-1 so some places, including my classroom have more than 22. Will that waiver granting policy be allowed when the cap goes
to 25-1?
I don't have answers (some ideas maybe) but I do know that school districts listen to parents. Yet, very few parents ever voice their opinions outside of yearly conferences or report card concerns. There is a life altering dilemma (catastrophe is probably exaggerating but that was my first choice) knocking at the door of your child's classroom. While I would currently like to blame the Toyota Highlander for the ills and problems of my classroom, truth be told the problem is silence. Silence about what we are about to loose. The squeaky wheel method works. Promise. Public school will listen to parents if parents will speak. So start speaking and don't stop speaking. Be nice. Please, please be nice. Budgets in our schools are being written. Sit down and write your school board a letter. Write them an email. Talk about what is important to you, your child, our future.
And don't buy a Toyota Highlander with personalized entertainment areas for each person in the car. Yep...the add says your two children can watch a video...or one a video and another can plug in their games or ipod and then you never ever have to talk to them on a drive to HEB ever ever again. If we've stopped speaking in the car, then maybe asking people to speak and write to the strangers who run our local ISD's is too much to imagine. But I'm hopeful.
Speak up now before what you have is lost.
Mattie and Stevie's mom says,
thank you...thank you very much. (elvis's birthday was a weekend or so ago)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVIE!
Happy Birthday to meHappy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday bring me presents....
Happy Birthday to me.
Stevie had a quiet birthday since we forgot...his birthday is January 17 and he was born in Oklahoma. He remains a naughty pug just like that day last March when Cassie, Dad and Karson picked him up at the airport.
The vet sent him an email (thank you Dr. Sunbury), but a trip for new toys is coming along with new dog treats. For now he loves his empty water bottle because it makes lots of noise.
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Monday, January 17, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
shhhhh.
we're planning on letting Mattie try out sleep overs without her daddy in about 6 months. daddy will need support along with counseling and Mattie will need therapy when it is over....but it is going to happen. Stevie will think he has a new fun family for a week...anyone can be his family, he's easy, but not cheap.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Better than last time
Stevie had a new chance to shine yesterday. The leader brought the doggies down to the dock yesterday. The plan was to meet up when I finished rowing. They met the dog on the dock, and then we were off to the dog park. Hesitant at first, we just let Mattie go. Mattie knew what to do...but she didn't know why Stevie was still on the leash. She kept coming back and checking.
Stevie was released right in the middle of auditorium shores. Lots of dogs. A Mastiff, two Standard Poodles, a Doberman....most..no pretty much all of them were bigger than Stevie. He was more cautious this time. He played some and when he was scared he sat down beside a set of legs. I saw him choose a few different people. He didn't look up, just sat down. I believe he thought any set of legs would provide safety. A few times I called him and he came. That was new.
THEN the brothers Olaf and Willie arrived. Olaf and Willie are fawn pug brothers. Mattie saw them first. She ran towards them and started sniffing. It was as if Ollie had returned as a twin. She smelled each one, a couple of times. She hoped, she smelled. It wasn't Ollie, but they were fun and cute. Then Stevie found them and he did the same thing. Olaf's dad let him off the leash and Stevie had a friend until Olaf decided he was going to dominate this new young black pug. Stevie not so happy and he went for a new set of legs and even managed to find the right ones. We stayed a little longer, declared Stevie's outing better than his previous attempt and drove home.
Stevie was released right in the middle of auditorium shores. Lots of dogs. A Mastiff, two Standard Poodles, a Doberman....most..no pretty much all of them were bigger than Stevie. He was more cautious this time. He played some and when he was scared he sat down beside a set of legs. I saw him choose a few different people. He didn't look up, just sat down. I believe he thought any set of legs would provide safety. A few times I called him and he came. That was new.
THEN the brothers Olaf and Willie arrived. Olaf and Willie are fawn pug brothers. Mattie saw them first. She ran towards them and started sniffing. It was as if Ollie had returned as a twin. She smelled each one, a couple of times. She hoped, she smelled. It wasn't Ollie, but they were fun and cute. Then Stevie found them and he did the same thing. Olaf's dad let him off the leash and Stevie had a friend until Olaf decided he was going to dominate this new young black pug. Stevie not so happy and he went for a new set of legs and even managed to find the right ones. We stayed a little longer, declared Stevie's outing better than his previous attempt and drove home.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Move over...
This couple....... This bonding happens daily. It happens as soon as he sits down. If I happen to sit there she paces, jumps on the other side of me and glares at me, jumps down and paces again.
I put them on facebook. I wasn't suppose to. I did it anyway. They are in love.
She has struck me with her paw when I wouldn't move. I think she is doing it in a good humored way...but maybe that's why she only chews the cushions I buy for the couch. Come to think of it she chewed my sunglasses, my Ipod docking cord, my Asics...off hand I can't think of one thing she has chewed that belongs to HIM. I think it's certain that she's
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Thursday, January 6, 2011
Top 10 Names for barkers and meowers
Pet owners choosing more human names accessAtlanta
Mattie, Stevie, our old ones Bart and Ollie nor Elvis from long ago made the list.
Try wandering your neighborhood looking for your lost Boston Terrier and yelling "ELIVS' out the window.
Mattie, Stevie, our old ones Bart and Ollie nor Elvis from long ago made the list.
Try wandering your neighborhood looking for your lost Boston Terrier and yelling "ELIVS' out the window.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
run Stevie run
this time he stopped and amidst all those strangers, found the ONE he loves most......his mom. his adventure was over, but Stevie decided adventures alone were scary and not as fun as he had expected. Next time, he thought, I'll get Mattie to go with me. She always knows what to do.
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Saturday, January 1, 2011
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